Spring is almost here and the list of events in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France is filled with exciting outings to enjoy with the family. For more ideas, you can also take a look at our previous posts about skiing with the tiddlers, winter sledging and indoor playcentres.
Here’s our list of suggestions for March 2018, but remember to keep checking our blog, as we will be updating this post with more events each week!
CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS
If you missed the Carnival celebrations which took place in February, don’t worry. You can still catch some great masked parades, Guggenmusiks (Carnival marching bands) and masked balls in many villages of France and the Suisse Romande. Just take a quick look at our Carnival celebrations post!
SUNDAY BRUNCH & INDOOR PLAY CENTRES
You can also check our previous posts to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons or the best indoor play centres in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France. And if the Sunday blues hit you don’t fret, we’ve got some great tips for that too.
LIBRARIES & TOY LIBRARIES:
Many public libraries host free events, workshops, story-times (usually in French but many times in other languages too). The bibliothèques in Geneva, Lausanne and neighbouring communes hold too many kids events each month to list them all here so here’s some links you can check regularly:
Geneva public libraries events & activities
Carouge public libraries events & activities
Lausanne public libraries events & activities
Click here to find the best indoor play centres in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France, and remember you can always pop round into your local toy library for a bit of free-play. Here’s a link about great ludothèques in the area.
MARCH 2018 EVENTS LISTINGS:
- 1st-4th March 2018: Moudon Carnival, probably the wildest of them all as this year it will be an Irish Carnival. The kids parade takes place on Saturday 3rd of March at 3.30pm.
- 1st-31st March 2018: Festival Couleurs d’enfance, a delightful theatre festival for children aged 0 to 6 in the Geneva and neighbouring France region. Take a look at the official website for a complete list of all the theatre shows, readings, movie screenings and creative workshops available. Tickets can be purchased directly at the door.
- 1st March-15th April 2018: Festival du Film Vert, a film festival with a green conscience taking place across 30 towns in France and Suisse Romande. The festival will be showcasing an amazing range of international movies that deal with important ecological issues that concerns us all. Take a look at the official website for full programme details.
- Saturday 3rd March 2018: Carnaval de Genolier, this small but very well-known celebration in one of the smaller villages in Vaud (not far from Nyon) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year! The theme will be the circus, with a special show and performances by the Circus Coquino from Morges. Click hereto see the full programme, a bit of advice: try to get there early, as later on the road from Nyon will be blocked for the duration of the Carnival.
- 3rd-11th March 2018: Habitat-Jardin, a fantastic home decor & garden exhibition at the Expo Beaulieu in Lausanne. With 500 exhibitors this is the place to go to find that special piece of furniture you’ve been pining for, or everything you need to indulge your inner gardener. Open from midday to 8pm during the week and from 10am to 6pm at the weekend. Tickets are 16CHF for adults and entry is free for children up to the age of 16.
- Sunday 4th March 2018: Free entry to all museums and exhibitions in Geneva, a special initiative organized by the city of Geneva offering free access to permanent and temporary exhibitions on the first Sunday of every month.
- Sunday 4th March 2018: “Le baby Bazar – Grand Bazar” free music workshop for babies and toddlers aged newborn to 2 at Geneva’s MEG museum (in French). The workshop run by Espace Musical will take place from 2pm to 4.30pm to 4.45pm, with a short pause from 3pm to 3.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required but places are limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Sunday 4th March 2018: “Cap sur l’Océanie avec Tohu Wa Bohu” story-time songs and music for children at Geneva’s MEG museum (in French). Suitable for toddlers from age 2, the first session will take place from 3pm to 3.45pm in the museum’s foyer, and the second one from 4pm until 4.45pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Wednesday 7th March 2018: “Les secrets de Ferdinand”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 7th March 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 7th March 2018: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- 7th-18th March 2018: Peppiland, outdoor playarea with bouncy castles for all ages and sizes at the Parking Colovray in Nyon (VD). Open from 11am until 9pm, will be closed on the 12th and 13th of March. Entry tickets cost 10CHF per child and are valid all day.
- 8th-18th March 2018: 88th International Motor Show at Geneva’s Palexpo. This motorshow needs no introduction, so we’ll just share some good tips: all tickets bought on site after 4pm are half price; there will be a day nursery in the Entrance Hall, caring for children aged 3 months – 7 years (1st hour free of charge, after that CHF 6 per hour). Last but not least, beware of the traffic congestion around Geneva’s airport for the duration of the motor show.
- 9th-11th March 2018: Brandons in Yverdon-les-Bains, this year’s theme will be “Aotour du Monde” so make sure you dress the part! Don’t miss the Bal des enfants on Saturday 10th at 4.20pm and the night parade where they carry the Bonhomme d’Hiver (starts at 8.15pm).
- 9th-11th March 2018: Avenches Carnaval, the kids’ parade starts at 3.30pm on the Saturday and will be followed by many activities & street entertainment throughout town from 8pm.
- 9th-18th March 2018: International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) at the Maison des Arts du Grütli in Geneva (16, rue du Général-Dufour). Don’t miss this extraordinary festival, which showcases films and documentaries about contemporary human rights: violence against women, poverty, torture, international justice and climate change.
- Saturday 10th March 2018: Samedi des Bibliothèques vaudoises, a special day for all public libraries in Canton Vaud, with activities, story times, workshops and much more. Take a look at the official website for a list of activities in all participating libraries. FREE ENTRY.
- 10th-11th March 2018: GENEVE CHÊNE-BOUGERIES Festival de marionnettes et Cie. A great puppet-show festival (in French) from age 3 at the Salle Jean-Jacques Gautier in Chêne-Bougeries (Route du Vallon 1). Tickets cost 10CHF per person. There will be puppet shows and workshops (advance booking required), click here to download the full programme.
- Sunday 11th March 2018: “Cuisine LAB Kids”, parent-child cookery workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French by Espace Colibri at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 10am to midday, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- Wednesday 14th March 2018: “Passionnantes expériences de biologie moléculaire” – Ateliers Verts du Jardin Botanique in Geneva for kids aged 10-13 (in French). What better place than Geneva’s beautiful botanical gardens to learn more about nature, micro-organisms and plants ? These fantastic workshops take place on Wednesday from 2pm to 4.30pm and cost 15CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance at 022 379 70 68. Click here to download the full programme. There will be another workshop this month on Wed. 21st of March 2018 for “kids” aged 6 to 9.
- Wednesday 14th March 2018: DÉCODIMAGE 2, part of the “Science Wednesdays” (“mercredis des sciences”) fun series of workshops in French for all ages at the Musée d’histoire des sciences in Geneva (Parc de la Perle du Lac, 128 rue de Lausanne). A fun way to discover more about clouds and rain & other weather phenomena! The free workshop starts at 3pm.
- Wednesday 14th March 2018: “LES MYSTÈRES DE LA MAISON TAVEL”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops at the Maison Tavel. Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 14th March 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 14th March 2018: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- Friday 16th March 2018: Le MAH à tout petits pas – Mercredi Family pour les tout-petits free guided tours for children aged 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva starting at 10.30am; 2.30pm and 3.30pm. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.
- Saturday 17th March 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the morning from 9.30am until midday and in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- 17th-18th March 2018: chocoholics rejoice as the Festichoc is back in Versoix for its 14th edition. This is the best chocolate festival in the Suisse Romande: with over 33 exhibitors and chocolatiers present you will be able to taste some delicious chocolate, learn how these scrumptious creations are made and also take part in a Chocolate Egg hunt on Sunday at 11.30am. See the official website for full details.
- 17th-18th March 2018: “Monstres Bien” a weekend of story times at Nyon castle. Tickets can be bought on the day from 1pm onwards in the castle’s courtyard, prices are 4 CHF per child per story; 5 CHF per adult per story. FREE ENTRY for children aged 2 to 4.
- Sunday 18th March 2018: “LES SECRETS DE BARTHÉLEMY”, family workshop at the Cabinet d’arts grahiques in Geneva. Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Sunday 18th March 2018: “Yoga-Visite”, parent-child yoga workshop for ages 6+ (children must be accompanied by an adult) conducted in French by Espace Colibri at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The workshop runs from 10am to midday, tickets are 8-12CHF and must be purchased online ahead of the day as places are limited.
- 18th-24th March 2018: Rock the Pistes Festival at the Portes du Soleil (France). If you love skiing and rock music then this is the right festival for you: with great live concerts right on the best ski slopes in Europe, fun is pretty much guaranteed (and the best thing is, you can enjoy a live rock concert without having to book the baby-sitter!). Visit the official website for full details.
- 19th-25th March 2018: Voix de Fête music festival in Geneva. A programme filled with live concerts and events by the best musicians and artists of the Suisse Romande, France, Canada, Belgium and Africa. Don’t miss the live music shows in the city’s coolest bars, part of the festival’s “Bars en Fête” spin-off.
- 20th-25th March 2018: “Festival Ramdamjam”, dance and music festival for little ones at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). From Indian dance workshops to Beatbox how-to classes and “eveil musical” lessons for babies, this festival has it all covered. Shows and workshops are suitable for children aged 2 to 10, tickets are 15CHF for a child day-pass, free entry for adults. Find the complete programme online. Places for all workshops can be booked only at the MEG Welcome Desk from 9am on the same day.
- Wednesday 21st March 2018: “Plantes succulentes et cactus” – Ateliers Verts du Jardin Botanique in Geneva for kids aged 10-13 (in French). What better place than Geneva’s beautiful botanical gardens to learn more about nature, micro-organisms and plants ? These fantastic workshops take place on Wednesday from 2pm to 4.30pm and cost 15CHF per child. Places must be booked in advance at 022 379 70 68. Click here to download the full programme.
- Wednesday 21st March 2018: “LA MAISON À RETOURNER DANS LE TEMPS”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops at the Maison Tavel. Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 21st March 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 21st March 2018: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
- 22nd – 25th March 2018: Mednat Expo at the Expo Beauliue in Lausanne. This is the largest and most important exhibition in Switzerland dedicated to natural remedies, healthy eating and organic produce. With over 240 exhibitors, yogathon sessions and cookery workshops there is something for everyone! See the official website for full details.
- Saturday 24th March 2018: Fête de la Première Feuille at the Maison de Quartier Chausse-Coq in Geneva. This fun spring celebration will run from 12pm until 4.30pm and there will be games, activities for the little ones, circus workshops, live concerts, Nepal ferris wheel and much more. FREE ENTRY.
- Sunday 25th March 2018: Les Puces de Nyon, very scenic flea market in the pretty lakeside town of Nyon (VD). Grab a fab bargain or a delicious crêpe bretonne!
- Wednesday 28th March 2018: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 28th March 2018: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
ONGOING:
- until 3rd June 2018: “Ça coule de source“. A great exhibition of an hydraulic structure’s construction site, inspired by the recent discovery made by archaeologists around the site of the ancient roman Aqueduct of Nyon. This exhibition will also show how the Romans managed and consumed their water sources. Pipes, taps, fountain plates, gargoyles, hydraulic facilities, coins and spillways illustrate the water’s course from the source, through its transmission across town, its distribution, use and disposal.
- until 1st July 2018: “Ma petite histoire de l’art” a great new art exhibition suitable for ages 4 to 10 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.
- until 15th July 2018: “T’es sûr-e ?”, a fantastic new exhibition suitable from age 7 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). The exhibition will teach and amuse your little ones with fun science experiments. Alongside the exhibition there will also be a series of fun workshops for ages 7 to 12 called “Le Club des petits inventeurs”, from 2pm to 5pm on selected days. Click here to download the list of activities. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.
- until 6th January 2019: due to its outstanding success and by popular demand, the exhibition “Fourmis la grande exposition” at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou) has been extended until the 6th of January 2019! Discover the fascinating, unknown universe of these tiny insects. FREE ENTRY only on the first Sunday of every month.
- The permanent exhibition “Noblesse Oblige” at Prangins Castle is a great day-out for the whole family, take a step back in time with your children to see how a noble Swiss family lived in the 18th century! Find out more about this fantastic family exhibition in our previous post.
